A TOTAL of 1,153 days has passed since a young Mark Travers burst on to the scene at Cherries for his Premier League debut.

Selected out of left-field by Eddie Howe for the club’s final home game of the season against Tottenham in May 2019, the Maynooth-born man kept a clean sheet in front of the Sky cameras in a memorable 1-0 victory aged just 19 years and 351 days

And having on Tuesday signed a fresh five-year contract to commit himself to Scott Parker’s side for the future, the 23-year-old is eager to “keep pushing” now he is back at England’s elite level once again.

Asked how the Travers who first featured against Spurs compared to now, the Republic of Ireland international told the Daily Echo: “I think probably a bit more experienced. I have learned a lot over the past few seasons. Even in the past season (2020-21) I learned a lot about myself as well.

“I think a lot has changed in terms of learning the game, how to manage it.

“At the start of last season, little bits you pick up on when you are playing and different bits you have to adapt to and change.

“I am always consciously aware of little bits that I can work on and keep pushing to see where I can try and get to.”

In August 2017, Travers was known as a goalscoring goalkeeper – firing a winner while on loan at Mark Molesley’s Weymouth, to seal a 3-2 victory over Bishop’s Stortford.

He also scored a bullet header against Eastleigh in May 2021, to help Cherries under-21s lift the Hampshire Senior Cup.

But while hitting the headlines at both ends of the pitch throughout his journey, the talented gloveman is thankful to all those, past and present, who have helped him along the way.

Asked who had been a key influence on his career, Travers replied: “I think just bits over the past years.

“Working with the goalkeeping coaches here – Neil Moss and Anthony White, who helped me when I was younger.

“Then obviously Rob Burch and Gaz Stewart has been here as well – all the goalkeeper coaches with international level with Ireland as well.

“I think it’s just everyone. The keepers you work with along the years, Aaron Ramsdale, Begovic, Boruc, Ryan Allsop.

“I just take little bits from the goalkeepers you work with and just trying to get to where they are at the time.”

Travers’s record at Cherries stands at 55 senior appearances, having kept 24 clean sheets.

He added: “I am sort of trying to enjoy every moment as it comes, each game.

“But on a personal level, delighted to be playing for this club and to try and help them get to where we all want to be.”